Ai Weiwei

Editions

Editions

“My favourite word is ‘act’. I am partnering with The Skateroom for that very reason”.

Ai Weiwei – 2017

The Skateroom has teamed up with contemporary Chinese artist and political activist Ai Weiwei for the second time, to launch a limited edition deck of his influential artwork “Study of Perspective – White House”.

This new limited edition is based on Ai Weiwei’s provocative artwork that was presented during a controversial art exhibition “Fuck Off” which ran alongside the Third Shanghai Biennale in 2000.

The first 66 editions come with a certificate hand signed by the Artist.

“Study of Perspective – White House” is an iconic example of a larger body of work by Ai Weiwei that melds art and activism, and is an overt critical response to the current political climate in the United States.

Study of Perspective, a series of images shot between 1995 and 2003, shows the artist flipping the finger against different buildings across the globe, either landmarks or symbols of authority.

The gesture, captured using a snapshot aesthetic, confronts its viewer with a universal and concise statement of Ai Weiwei’s political opposition

Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei looks on as he visits a migrant's makeshift camp on the Greek-Macedonian border, near the village of Idomeni, Greece, March 9, 2016. Ai is in Greece to shoot a documentary. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov/File Photo

In respect with the economic model defended by The Skateroom, a significant part of the profit of this edition will be used to support social initiatives making the world a better place.

For this second collaboration, Ai Weiwei decided to support two different NGOs: Halklarin köprüsü based in Turkey, and B’Tselem based in Israel

“During the filming of Human Flow, my documentary on the global refugee condition, I had the opportunity to speak with individuals from both B’Tselem and the Bridging Peoples Association in Turkey. What these two organizations do is very valuable to society, both in fighting against injustice and in helping those that are unfortunate” – Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei is a Chinese contemporary artist and activist who resides and works in both Berlin and Beijing. He studied animation at the Beijing Film Academy, then studied art in New York in the early 80’s. Upon returning to China a decade later, Ai Weiwei advocated for experimental artists by publishing underground books and curating avant-garde exhibitions.

He has worked in many mediums, including sculpture, installation, photography, architecture and film. He is an outspoken advocate of human rights and freedom of speech.